The Renewable Energy Association has been representing the anaerobic digestion (AD) sector since its launch in 2001. REA Biogas was formed in 2004. Having worked hard to promote AD over the lean years, at long last the sector is finally being recognised as a future major contributor to renewable energy in the UK.

REA Biogas is expanding continually. Our members come from across the entire biogas industry supply chain, supporting the development of merchant, on-farm and community AD, syngas from gasification, landfill gas and water treatment facilities, and the use of biogas for power, heat, transport and injection to grid. The bi-monthly meetings are attended by over 50 of our members. The group is supported by a dedicated team of experts within the REA.

REA Biogas members benefit from being part of a larger organisation with more political weight and expertise across renewables as a whole. There are many generic issues which impact on renewable energy producers of all types. Grid connections and charges are just one example. As well as specific biogas mail-outs, all members of REA Biogas also receive the latest weekly updates on the whole of the renewables industry; this is invaluable to the many individuals and companies which wish to combine several technologies on one site.

Background: The roots of REA Biogas go back a long way; the first Biogas Association was founded by our present CEO, Gaynor Hartnell, and it merged with the REA in 2002. The Biogas Association successfully lobbied for the inclusion of AD using waste in the Renewables Obligation. In the early stages of the development of the RO, it had been proposed that Energy from Waste of any form be excluded. Since those early days, several Biogas associations have come and gone, but the REA has had the critical mass to sustain and develop both REA Biogas and the industry as a whole.

REA Biogas is one of the REA’s most dynamic sector groups. It is chaired by John Baldwin of CNG Services and run by David Collins; Michael Chesshire, who was the founding Chair of the Group, is now a non executive director on the Board of the REA. REA Biogas meets every 2 months alongside government officials , and has a focused programme, often using specialist sub-groups, to address issues relevant to the development of the Biogas industry. Working with the Events Team in the REA, REA Biogas gives presentations at both REA and other conferences, holds specific Biogas Seminars and is always included in the REA programme of public events. The group works closely with government, NGOs and many other organisations such as the CLA and NFU on farm biogas issues.

As a member of the REA Biogas you get:

1. Regular REA Biogas email-outs
2. Weekly REA newsletter on renewables including biogas
3. No limit on the number of employees receiving the mail-outs
4. 6 REA Biogas Meetings and networking events with sandwich lunch each year in London
5. 3 meetings at Northern REA Biogas held at CPI Teeside
6. No extra charges for these meetings
7. Detailed industry report before each meeting
8. Company listing on REA general website and linked to Biogas website
9. Inclusion of your UK AD reference plants in website
10. Access to all sector experts in the REA for advice
11. Inclusion in sub group meetings including meeting government officials
12. Discounts on REA sponsored training and conference events
13. A chance to get your own views across

You also get access to the dedicated Members Section of this website including up to date information and documents on consultations, meetings, campaigns, reports and REA Biogas workgroups.

On joining REA Biogas you also become a full member of the REA and will receive a weekly update on all renewable energy technologies with a section on Biogas. The REA also subscribes to professional news and information services, with particular reference to the latest political and parliamentary news, and these are included in newsletters.

Each member has an equal vote and an equal say in the running of REA Biogas and in the election or re-election of the Chair and Vice Chair and a representative directorship on the REA main Board.